I want to raise issues regarding the Mercosur deal in its proposed format. There are huge concerns among farmers. I have met all of the farming organisations about this issue. They have raised concerns directly with me. More than 170,000 people are employed in our agrifood sector. Farming livelihoods that must be protected at all costs. Farmers need straight answers on the Government's position on this proposed deal, which is reckless, and that is not to mention the health concerns in terms of hormones in the beef coming into the EU markets. I am calling on Government to give clarity to farmers who are asking the question about Government's position and also calling on Government to notify the EU Commission of our outright objection to this deal in its current format because livelihoods are at stake and our economy will suffer should this deal be ratified.

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. To reassure her, the Government cannot be any clearer on our position in relation to the Mercosur proposals. We clearly outlined it in our programme for Government. In two-and-a-half hours of debate here in the Dáil last Thursday, I discussed it at length and put clearly on the record of this House our concerns and our opposition to that in that forum and how we are working with other like-minded countries who share those concerns as well. I have raised it in Brussels out at AGFIS Council meetings, as has the Tánaiste in his role of trade. We continue to work with like-minded countries that share those concerns.